It hails us always by its roar,
So we must pause awhile to see
The Rapid lash itself to foam
To form a Scenic Rarity
For eons ago the rivers met – –
The Rapid and the Rainy wide – –
Their mother was Lake Agassiz,
Here eons hence they must abide.
Imprisoned in its rocky banks
The Rapid tumbles on its way,
Perchance the roar’s a warning cry
To herald joining in the bay
The Red Men gazed upon the sight
And pitched their tepees near at hand
Children of Nature here they found
A goodly spot to make a stand.
For shade of pines and oaks hardby
Sticks for their fires were too supplied.
The waters teemed with luscious fish – –
A fisher’s ground in which we pride.
We marvel when we meditate
At wondrous changes time has wrought!
A pioneer builded here a home
When land and homes the settlers sought.
He was a noble pioneer
His acts and deed were kind to me,
And very very well we know
He loved his Scenic Rarity.
And now the traffic glides along
Across the bridge that spans the stream.
And travelers slack their pace to look
At what might be a pleasant dream.
They watch the falling waters glide
Against the rocks and dash to foam,
Day and night, nor never cease
At break of day or in the gloam.
And generations yet unborn
Will thrill to it as much as we,
They’ll picnic and they’ll play about
Beside this Scenic Rarity.
So when sweet spring returns again,
A magnet it will prove to be
To draw the people to its banks
To view our Scenic Rarity!
a pioneer woman